- By: Irfan Khan Tareen
I believe that the more we connect with screens and use them for hours, the more addictive and harmful they become. Gone are the days when children would spend two to three hours a day participating in outdoor physical activities. Young and old would gather together to seek advice, share stories, or enjoy fairs and social events. Today, due to incessant engagement with the internet and social media platforms, parents have very little time to pay active attention to the physical and mental well-being of their children.
From South Asia to Europe, screen addiction is no longer a personal habit—it has evolved into a global public health concern, backed by research and increasingly recognized by governments worldwide. WHO reports that 11% of adolescents show problematic (addiction-like) social media use. This increased from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. WHO data shows 12% of adolescents are at risk of gaming addiction. JAMA network journals show that addictive screen use patterns (not just screen time) are strongly linked with mental health issues in adolescents, including depression and suicidal behavior risk.
Every third person, whether at home or outside, grapples with screen addiction. In truth, weakened critical thinking and problem-solving skills, emotional withdrawal, loneliness, physical health issues, and mental fatigue are some of the major impacts of screen addiction on children and youth alike. Yet, this social—and indeed global—challenge is often neglected by parents, teachers, educational institutions, academia, and governments.
Screens provide attention, validation, approval, connection, entertainment, recreation, and a sense of presence—the very things humans desperately need. However, people’s engagement with screens has increased to such an extent that they now have little time for family interaction, community bonding, and physical recreational activities. I am certain that the more one scrolls, the less fulfilled one feels. The less fulfilled one feels, the more one turns to screens for validation and entertainment. This is how the vicious cycle continues.
According to the World Health Organization, screen time for children under two years of age should be zero, while children aged four to five should not exceed one hour per day. However, several surveys reveal that even children under one or two years are exposed to screens for more than an hour daily. I once watched a shocking video on social media: a mother pretends to collapse in front of her three children while they are watching TV. One child immediately stands up and brings her water, while the other two remain seated, staring at the screen. This reflects how digital attraction can disconnect children from real-life responsiveness.
Why does spending hours on screens feel enjoyable, yet harm our minds and memory? The answer lies in science. Researchers, psychologists, and psychiatrists explain that excessive screen use releases a hormone called dopamine, which provides temporary pleasure. However, when a person tries to reduce screen time and focus on other activities, their mood often becomes irritable and restless.
Firstly, excessive screen use contributes to sleep disorders such as insomnia, lethargy, and even anxiety. A study conducted in Finland found that with every additional hour of screen time, sleep duration decreases by approximately 10 minutes. Another study in China showed that each additional hour of screen exposure increases the risk of sleep disorders by 12%.
Secondly, people who excessively use screens have a higher risk of eye problems, particularly myopia. Prolonged exposure to screens can also cause headaches and eye strain.
Thirdly, screen addiction contributes to obesity—often called the “mother of diseases”—due to reduced physical activity and increased calorie intake. Individuals addicted to screens often feel too tired or unmotivated to engage in physical tasks. Moreover, excessive screen use can contribute to language development issues in children.
Beyond physical effects, excessive screen use significantly impacts mental health. Researchers and neuroscientists suggest that prolonged screen exposure weakens executive function skills—essential abilities required for daily life, including emotional control, decision-making, focus, and social interaction. It can also lead to anxiety, stress, and depression. Emotional withdrawal, increased aggression, reduced attention span, and poor learning ability are additional serious consequences that can diminish the quality of life.
To address this growing challenge, everyone has a role to play. Parents should provide children with attention, presence, and encouragement instead of screens. Efforts must be made to develop children’s social and emotional skills. Encouraging outdoor activities and promoting reading and storytelling habits are essential steps. Children under five years of age should be kept away from excessive screen exposure.
Teachers also play a vital role by fostering emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students. Raising awareness about the harmful effects of excessive screen use is equally important.
Educational institutions can contribute by promoting sports activities and restricting phone use during class time. Digital tools should be used only when necessary and in a controlled manner. Including mental health education in curriculum and training teachers to teach digital discipline and detect screen addiction symptoms early will surely help students promote balanced routines ( study, sleep and exercise) and prevent themselves from this trap.
What is misery here? Enforcement and awareness are highly weak as compared to Western world. Governments should not only ban screens, but they must regulate system, enforce digital laws, treat screen addicts soundly and create awareness.
Let us not lose this battle against screen challenges. By preventing our youth(children and adolescents) away from excessive screen use, we can build a healthy and prosperous society.